edesday, August 6, 199 - The Michigan Daliy - 5
New 'M' hockey schedule should prove challenging
1997-98 Michigan Hockey Schedule
Date Opponent
Oct. 4 Blue/White game
Oct. 10 Minnesota'
Oct. 12 Toronto
Oct. 17-18 Colgate
Oct. 25 Michigan State
Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Alaska-Fairbanks
Nov. 7-8 Northern Michigan
Nov. 14 Ferris State
Nov. 16 Ferris State2
Nov. 21 Bowling Green
Nov. 23 Ohio State
Nov. 28 Minnesota3
Nov. 30 Wisconsin3
Dec. 5 Lake Superior
Dec. 12 Western Michigan2
Dec. 13 Western Michigan
Dec. 27 St. Lawrence4
Dec. 28 Michigan State or
Michigan Tech4
Jan. 2-3 Ohio State
Jan. 9 Bowling Green
Date Opponent
Jan. 10 Western Michigan
Jan. 17 Alaska-Fairbanks
Jan. 23-24 Miami (Ohio)
Jan. 30 Notre Dame
Jan. 31 Notre Dame
Feb. 7 Lake Superior
Feb.13 Miami (Ohio)
Feb. 14 Northern Michigan
Feb. 20 Michigan State
Feb. 21 Michigan States
Feb. 27 Ferris State
Feb. 28 Lake Superior
March 6 Bowling Green
March 7 Notre Dame
March 13-15 CCHA first-round
Home games in bold
1- Hail o Fame game, Target Center,
Minneapors
2- Van Andel Arena. Grand Rapids
a- coilege Hockey snowcase
4- Great Lakes invitational-Joe Louis Arena
5- Joe Louis Arena, Detroit
By Mark Snyder
Daily Sports Editor
Billy Powers has seen this before.
When glancing at the Michigan hock-
ey regular-season schedule for the
upcoming campaign, the Michigan
assistant flashes back to the past. It was
another time - four seasons ago -
when the situation was the same but the
names were different.
Powers sees similarities between the
class just departed from Michigan and
the one that is about to enroll.
"If you go back four years ago when
(Brendan) Morrison's class came in, it
wasn't much different," he said.
The class of 1997 faced top talent all
season long during its freshman year,
and this season should follow suit.
The schedule opens with Michigan in
an unfamiliar venue - theTarget Center
in Minneapolis. The contest will pit the
Wolverines against Minnesota in the
Hall of Fame game opening the regular
season.
The Gophers, who could open the reg-
ular season ranked No. 1 in the polls, can
face Michigan because the contest is
exempt from the NCAA regular-season
maximum of games.
"It was a pleasant surprise to get invit-
ed by Minnesota," Powers said. "At the
Hobey Baker dinner, (Minnesota coach)
Doug Woog mentioned the idea to
(Michigan coach) Red Berenson. And he
said they'd love to have us."
So it was done.
The match is the first of many high-
lights among non-CCHA games.
Both of the in-season tournaments
Michigan played last year- the College
Hockey Showcase and the Great Lakes
Invitational - once again appear on this
season's slate.
In the four-year history of the
Showcase, the competition has rotated
between the large venues of Detroit,
Minneapolis and Milwaukee - close to
the teams involved (Michigan, Michigan
State, Minnesota and Wisconsin).
The Showcase contract was extended
to campus sites beginning this season
when Yost Ice Arena will host on Nov. 29
and Nov. 30.
Michigan, winner of the Great Lakes
Invitational for the past nine seasons,
will return for another defense of the title
Dec. 27-28 at Joe Louis Arena.
The most important tournament, how-
ever, begins March 13 as Michigan con-
tinues its defense of its CCHA title in the
conference playoffs.
After last season, which saw a school-
record 35 victories, a fourth consecutive
CCHA championship and a trip to tte
NCAA semifinals, the task appears
daunting. But Powers said this schedule
shows Michigan's drive to play the best.
"We'll take positives from anything,"
he said. "We accept any challenge.
Michigan always faces a tough schedule."
Despite the relative inexperience of
the Wolverines, Powers realizes how
important the difficult games are to the
new players.
"This is why they came to Michigan,
to play in games like this" he said.
"There's no question we're excited."
Former Wolverines return for reunion
ALUMNI
Continued from Page 13
Wolverines.
And the genius behind this summer
soiree? None other than the coach
himself.
"I just wanted to add to the golf
weekend," Berenson said, referring to
the annual Michigan hockey golf tour-
namenf played last Saturday. "Guys
come from a long way and make it a
real special point for the golf weekend.
I wanted to give them more. I thought,
what the heck, let's give them a hock-
ey game."
So the phone calls went out to the
Michigan alumi, and instead of rolling
into town with just their graphite sticks
in a leather golf bag, each player also
brought his wooden stick, nylon pants
and plastic helmet.
"The thing I like about it is the
enthusiasm of guys like Wiseman and
Shields and Knuble," Berenson said.
"They want to come back and play."
And why not?
All three helped create the atmos-
phere leading to the program's 1996
national championship. Each left his
mark on the Michigan record books.
This was their program, built through
hard work, grit and teamwork, making
this reunion so special.
"This is one of the only chances all
of us get to be together," Knuble said.
"It is a great weekend to see every-
body and have a great time."
Despite hectic schedules following
the Stanley Cup championship, both
Knuble and Aaron Ward, players for
the Detroit Red Wings last season,
made it back to Ann Arbor for the
occasion.
"I've had a busy summer, but this
was one of the first things I put on my
schedule," Knuble said.
As for the game itself, the players
were divided up as older players like
Cam Stewart of the Boston Bruins
mixed with the current talent -
Michigan captain Matt Herr and goalie
Marty Turco - to make the event live-
ly, yet competitive.
But as intense as the contest
became, proper perspective was main-
tained among'the opponents.
Shields, who had his first experi-
ence in the NHL limelight during last
season's NEIL playoffs, had been on a
break f-rom hockey until the alumni
game.
"This was my first time (skating this
summer)," he said. "It showed. I made
a few saves, settled down (but) was
fooling around a little bit.
"It wasn't serious, and the guys are
here to have a good time." .
The former Wolverines' extensive
interest in the event necessitated two
games on Friday evening - one for
the alumni under 35 and one for those
over 35.
Donning a bright yellow jersey
bearing the words "Red Berenson's
Hockey Camp" printed across his
chest, Berenson and his squad took the
ice following the under-35 game.
Despite being one of the oldest play-
ers on the ice, the coach still had his
competitive fire burning. He skated
with the intent and determination he
was known for in his playing days.
But Berenson's main focus was on
the younger players and the years they
spent in Ann Arbor.
"I just want them to continue to
enjoy the experience- they had at
Michigan," Berenson said. "It has
nothing to do with the future of the
program. When the players come back
and have a good time, that makes it
special for the kids who are here.
"Your experience at Michigan does-
n't end when you graduate."
That connection drew the players
back to lace the skates up once more.
As for the future, Berenson plans to
continue the game.
"I thought we'll go from there,"
Berenson said. "We may end up
adding something onto this."
As if hockey in the summer isn't
original enough.
Going back in time
Players participating in the 35-
and-under alumni game
MARGARET MYERS/Daily
After proposing the first Michigan hock- . Jan's Tropical Fish T.
ey alumni game, current Michigan coach 2i
and former Wolverine Red BerensOn 29glotakwh full-lighted hood
donned his equipment. He skated in the $34.95
35-and-over game, showcasing the skills 50 gallon tank with twin full-lighted horwa
that made him a hockey legend. $54.95
THURS_ FRS S HIT.